The Idaho Spending Index serves to provide a fiscally conservative perspective on state budgeting while providing an unbiased measurement of how Idaho lawmakers apply these values to their voting behavior on appropriations bills. Each bill is analyzed within the context of the metrics below. They receive one (+1) point for each metric that is satisfied by freedom-focused policymaking and lose one (-1) point for each instance in which the inverse is true. The sum of these points composes the score for the bill.

Rating: (-2)

Bill Description: Senate Bill 1200 is an enhancement of $744,100 and 3.0 new full-time positions for the Idaho Historical Society for fiscal year 2026. This legislation appropriates a total of $11,410,400 and 62.0 full-time positions to the agency. 

Does this budget incur any wasteful spending among discretionary funds, including new line items? Conversely, does this budget contain any provisions that serve to reduce spending where possible (i.e. base reductions, debt reconciliation, etc.)? 

Senate Bill 1200 includes discretionary appropriations for 3 new positions, moving of collections costs, and new IT hardware. This comprises a significant enhancement to the maintenance budget. However, the ongoing spending increase of $196,100 is a 1.8% increase over the maintenance budget.

(0)

Does this budget perpetuate or expand state dependence on federal dollars, thereby violating principles of federalism?

Senate Bill 1200 includes an appropriation of $62,900 for a federally funded Archivist Technician. The budget request indicates the federal funding will be continued in future years. The line item creates dependence on federal funding and further violates the principles of federalism.

(-1)

Is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending, if any, inappropriate for the changes in circumstances, scope of the agency, or current economic environment? Conversely, is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending appropriate given any change in circumstances or economic pressures?

This legislation funds the Idaho Historical Society at $over $10.8 million, growing from the 2023 base by about 38% in the last three years. This rate is faster than what would be prescribed by inflationary pressures and growth.

Because of the accelerated growth in this budget the last three years, a truly fiscally responsible enhancement budget for FY2026 would reverse the growth with a negative appropriation — a reduction to the base budget.

(-1)